A09445:59
Of the calling of the ministry two treatises, describing the duties and dignities of…Of the calling of the ministerie two treatises, discribing the duties and dignities of…
Of the calling of the ministry two treatises, describing the duties and dignities of that calling. Delivered publicly in the University of Cambridge, by Master Perkins. Taken then from his mouth, and now diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word with a preface prefixed touching the publishing of Master Perkins his works, & a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.Of the calling of the ministerie two treatises, discribing the duties and dignities of that calling. Delivered publickly in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, by Maister Perkins. Taken then from his mouth, and now dilligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word with a preface prefixed touching the publishing of Maister Perkins his workes, & a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to bee expected.
London: printed by I. Roberts for William Welby, 1605
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In which words, observe an admirable plainness, and an admirable powerfulness: (which a man would think could not so well stand together.) First plainness, for whereas the unlearned man perceiveth ⟨image 12⟩his faults discovered, it followeth necessarily he must needs understand, and if an unlearned man understand it, then consequently it must needs be plain: Secondly powerfulness, in that his conscience is so convinced, his secret faults so disclosed, & his very hart so ripped up: that he saith, certainly God speaks in this man. This is the evidence and demonstration of Gods spirit: It is thought good commendation before the world, when men say of a Preacher, surely this man hath shown himself a proper scholar, of good learning▪ great reading, strong memory, and good delivery, and so it is and such commendation (if just) is not to be: contemned: but that that commends a man to the Lord his God, & to his own conscience, is when he preacheth so plainly to the capacity, and so powerfully to the conscience of a wicked man, as that he thinks doubtless God is within him. Art thou therefore an Angel of God, then magnify the spirit of God, and not thy self in thy preaching of his word. The next use is for the hearers,1 and they are here taught, that if their Ministers be ⟨image 13⟩Angels sent them from God, then are they to hear them, gladly, willingly, reverently, and obediently: gladly and willingly, because they are Ambassadors, reverently and obediently, because they are sent from the high God the King of Kings, and do deliver his embassage. God saith, the people must seek the law• at his mo•th:2 and good reason, for if the law be the revealed will of God, and the Minister the Angel of God, then where should they seek the will of God, but a• the mouth of his Angel? The reason therefore followeth well in that place • they should seek• the law at his mouth, for he i the messenger of the Lord of hosts and this st all christians do, not only if their doctrine be pleasing unto them, but though it cross their corruptions, and be quite contrary o their dispositions, yea though it be never so unsavoury and hrde unto nature, yet in as much […] message from thy God and King, and he eather the Angel or messenger of that God: therefore both he and it must be received with all reverence, & with the very obedience of the hart and soul.